Associate Biologist

Overview Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science. Your Opportunity Stantec is seeking a consulting biologist with a minimum of 5 years of experience to join our Southern California Ecosystems Group. The position operates out of a Southern California office (Bakersfield, Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Paramount, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Santa Maria, Ventura). We welcome a talented and collaborative team member with demonstrable experience in Southern California and elsewhere. Responsibilities Lead and mentor project field teams and provide support to project managers undertaking renewable energy, oil and gas, and other development projects. Schedule, assist, and/or lead teams for field tasks such as special-status species surveys/inventories, nesting bird surveys, vegetation community assessments and mapping, jurisdictional waters delineations and assessments, and compliance monitoring. Provide guidance to junior staff, including training recommendations, coaching, and mentoring. Plan, prepare, and review technical reports or portions of larger environmental assessments. Work with business development teams to contribute to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) by defining scope, associated costs, and compiling relevant sections of proposal documents. Assist teams in pursuing and contributing to new business opportunities and effective technical proposals. Contribute to our corporate profile through active participation in professional associations and committees. Under the supervision of senior staff, coordinate with clients and regulators to communicate results of various survey efforts and technical reports. Assist with the development of permitting strategies, permit application packages, and agency negotiations. Maintain a target 80-85% direct project utilization goal. Conduct overnight travel within and outside of Southern California. Qualifications You are a biologist or natural resources management specialist; hold a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field, and have a minimum of 5 years of related experience demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility in conducting biological resources surveys and preparing technical reports. Collaborative team member who works effectively in multi-disciplinary project and field teams. Proficient in Health and Safety policies and procedures, including client-specific training and leadership by example. Ability to coordinate with project managers to conduct work efficiently and within project scope, budget, and schedule expectations. Demonstrable background, knowledge, and experience with the flora, fauna, and vegetative communities of Southern California. Experience conducting floristic botanical surveys, reconnaissance wildlife surveys, and species-specific protocol surveys. Experience with or permits for arroyo toad, coastal California gnatcatcher, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, Mohave ground squirrel, and/or desert tortoise is considered a plus. Possession of a California Scientific Collecting Permit, State Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and/or federal Recovery Permit for one or more special-status species is considered a plus. Qualifications and/or experience with being a USFWS-approved biologist for one or more federally listed species and/or a CDFW-approved Designated Biologist (DB) is considered a plus, particularly for desert tortoise and Mohave ground squirrel. Wetland delineation training certificate and/or demonstrable experience in conducting jurisdictional waters/aquatic resources delineations is considered a plus. Strong verbal and technical writing skills; ability to effectively communicate with team members, junior staff, clients, and regulatory agencies. Experience preparing technical documentation including biological survey reports, technical memoranda, Biological Resources Technical Reports (BRTRs), jurisdictional waters delineations and Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports (ARDRs), and biological resource sections for CEQA/NEPA documents. Working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and processes, particularly in Southern California. Ability to prepare or contribute to the preparation of regulatory permit applications such as Clean Water Act Section 404/401, Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs), Fish and Game Code Section 1600 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, federal or state Incidental Take Permits (ITPs). Experience in compliance monitoring, environmental training, interpretation and application of regulatory requirements, and post-construction monitoring/reporting on small to large projects. Proficient in MS Office applications. Experience with GPS/GIS technology (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps) to collect biological resources survey data, map vegetation communities, and delineate jurisdictional waters. Must have the ability to travel and a valid driver’s license with a good driving record. OSHA HAZWOPER 40 certification may need to be obtained prior to employment. Education and Experience BS and/or MS degree in Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience. Benefits Summary Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Employees receive ten paid holidays annually and accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year with paid sick leave in accordance with state and local law. Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave per state and local law. Benefits may differ for union positions governed by collective bargaining agreements. Pay Range Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ areas - $80,300.00 - $116,500.00 Annually Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA areas - $86,100.00 - $125,000.00 Annually Location Primary Location: United States | CA | Los Angeles Other Locations: United States | CA | Paramount Travel Yes Schedule Full time EEO Statement Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec complies with all applicable laws and regulations and is committed to ensuring equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team. #J-18808-Ljbffr